King of the Romans

King of the Romans was a title used by the kings of Germany during the Middle Ages. The title was first used under Emperor Henry II in 1014-1024, and the King of the Romans would usually head to Italy to be crowned King of Italy before receiving papal confirmation as Holy Roman Emperor. The title "King of the Romans" was used by kings who had yet to be elected Holy Roman Emperor, and it later came to be used for the heir apparent to the Imperial throne between his election and his succession on the death of the sitting emperor. In 1508, the title became obsolete when Maximilian I of Germany chose to be "elected Emperor of the Romans" when he was unable to travel to Italy for his coronation, and Maximilian chose the title "King of Germany" for the heirs to the throne.